Rules for Mediated Romance: A Digital Exploration of How Couples Negotiate Expectations
基于期望违背理论，通过联合访谈分析36位参与者，发现夫妻为技术使用制定沟通规则，规则具有表演性、减少冲突并引导媒介切换，违背时通过辩护和重新评估来调整规则。
Abstract Framed by expectancy violation theory, this study used joint interviews to explore why couples create communication rules for their technology use and what happens if the expectation is violated. Participants’ (n = 36) narratives were analyzed through four coding cycles: in vivo, initial, value, and focused coding. Interviews with romantic couples resulted in three themes: rules are performative, rules reduce conflict, and rules guide modality weaving. During an expectation violation, findings revealed that the magnitude of the violation is first determined by the violator defending their behavior. Then, based on the appraisal process, the couple reframes the rule to better work for their future interactions. Key findings conclude that rules are not rigid; they are fluid and develop naturally over time. This research adds to the literature about how mediated communication transforms the dynamics of romantic relationships as couples explicitly and implicitly create communication rules to help maintain their partnership.